A couple in The Colony has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty, in a horrific case of neglect for 88 animals confined in their home, plus another 22 that were deceased.

According to a release, on February 25, The Colony Police Department arrested Brandy Lynn Bristol and Jeremy James Bristol on multiple warrants following an extensive investigation by the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

The investigation followed a civil seizure warrant on January 28 at the couple's home at 4820 Alta Oaks Ln. where The Colony Animal Services and The Colony Police Department found 88 animals still alive and 22 animals that were deceased. The animals were taken by shelter personnel and received evaluations and medical care.

At a civil hearing on February 4 at The Colony Municipal Court, the animals were determined to be cruelly treated, and a judge ruled that the couple could not bring animals back into the house.

Photos showed feces on the floor and walls of the home; dogs in crates that were too small for them to stand or move around; and multiple cats sharing small crates.

The living animals included 24 dogs, 45 cats, 12 reptiles, and seven mice. The 22 deceased animals included cats found in plastic bags stored in the freezer.

Many of the animals' eyes were sealed shut or else had respiratory problems due to the high amount of ammonia from urine.

According to Fox 4, the couple’s own high school-aged children reported them to The Colony Animal Services.

The couple were running an ostensible "rescue" called Purple Flower, in which they were charging $350 "adoption fees"; questions about its legitimacy were raised as far back as 2018.

In court, they asked to keep six of the animals, but the judge denied their request and gave custody of all animals to The Colony Animal Services and other animal welfare organizations.

The couple were not charged until the police could conduct necropsy results.

Both were each charged with 12 counts of Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals under Texas Penal Code 42.092. Each count is a Third-Degree Felony, which carries a potential penalty of 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Animals that are in the care of The Colony Animal Services will eventually be available for adoption and will be posted online at thecolonytx.gov/animalservices or else available for in-person visits at the TCAS Animal Shelter.

The shelter is also in need of donations including Purina One dry dog food, Purina One dry kitten/cat food, and Fancy Feast wet kitten/cat food; ways to donate can be found on their linktree.